Brush

ABSTRACT

An electrically operated toothbrush that includes a rotary brush which rotates selectively in either direction in order to give a proper brushing action, the toothbrush including a reversible motor inside the handle controlled by a manually operated switch upon the handle, and the rotary brush being shielded along one side so to protect the mouth tissue such as tongue and cheeks from a rear side of the brush.

[451 Jan. 14,1975

EJnited States Patent [191 Moskwinski 1/1971 Grossman..,.....................1...... 15/23 1 BRUSH Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts h t 6 3 3 0 118 27 74 .bd mm 0 Mn e 08 Mb m 0 S t JS o t n e v n I M 7 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oltsch & Knoblock [22] Filed: June 18, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT An electrically operated toothbrush that includes a rotary brush which rotates selectively in either direction 21 Appl. No.2 371,183

in order to give a proper brushing action, the toothbrush including a reversible motor inside the hnndle B2 0 oo 3 ml 3 ,4 3A 2. 5" m U SL Uh N 1 55 [58] Field of Search............ 15/23, 24; 310/50, 68 B controlled by a manually operated switch upon the Cd H 0a 056 me n o dt 68 M 5 6 r. mm. u 5. 1 m eu F r. m m b um M nt a 1 r T O D 0 me 3 n w mhm 0 3 3 .1 l C C 68 mm 1 dpm n w a a S mk d n 8 amh hSC 333 222 555 11.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,692,980 11/1928 Farmer 3,161,899 12/1964 Polzat 3 451 086 6/1969 Burgett........

BRUSH This invention relates generally to electrically operated toothbrushes.

It is well known that a proper brushing action of the teeth constitutes in brushing away from the gums toward the tips of the teeth in order to not cause a gum soreness and harmful gum recession. A conventional electric toothbrush such as is now being retailed incorporates an oscillating action so that a truly proper brushing action is not possible according to dental authorities. This accordingly is in want of an improvement.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush that incorporates a rotary brush so to produce a proper brushing action.

Another object is to provide a proper brush that can be selectively controlled so to rotate in either direction so to brush inner and outer sides of both upper and lower teeth.

Yet another object is to provide a proper brush that in one form of the invention is automatically turned on when positioned against the teeth and automatically turns off when removed therefrom.

Other objects are to provide a proper brush which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use, and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail of a modified design of the invention shown partly in cross section, and which automatically turns on and off for more convenient use.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 at this time, the reference numeral represents a proper brush according to the present invention, wherein there is a hollow handle 11 containing a reversible electric motor 12 that is powered either by an extension cord 13 connected to a household electric outlet socket or else which is powered by a self-contained rechargeable battery. An offforward-reverse-switch 14 is mounted on the handle to control the motor.

The handle is integral with a tubular sheath 15 that covers a rotatable motor shaft 16 that on its outer end supports a rotary brush 17, of cylindrical shape. One side of the brush is enclosed by a protective semi cylindrical shield 18 that is an integral continuation of the sheath 16. The handle, sheath and shield are made of a hard smooth plastic with all corners rounded so to feel comfortable and not injure the mouth.

In use, by flipping the switch in either direction, the brush 17 will rotate in a desired rotational direction so the exposed semi-cylindrical portion of the brush can be placed against the teeth for cleaning.

In FIG. 3 the motor is automatically turned on when the brush is pushed against the teeth so to cause sheath 19 to pivot about universal joint 20 along the motor shaft 21 and push against a second switch 22 (in series with switch 14 and the power source), the switch 22 remaining closed only while being pushed by the sheath. The portion 23 of the sheath that protrudes out of a slot 24 of the handle is square so the sheath and shield cannot rotate. A flexible rubber cap 25 keeps the slot closed. Thus a modified design of the invention has been provided.

I claim:

1. In a brush, the combination of a hollow handle with a reversible electric motor therein connectable to a power source, an off-forward-reverse switch on said handle, and means carried by said handle for providing a tooth brushing action, said means comprising a rotary brush on a motor shaft of said motor, a portion of said motor shaft being protectively enclosed in a tubular sheath, said sheath projecting from a position within said handle toward said brush, a universal joint along said motor shaft being located between said motor and said sheath, a handle slot through which said shaft and sheath protrude outwardly of said handle, said sheath in a vicinity of said slot being cross-sectionally noncircular to prevent rotation therein about a longitudinal axis of said sheath, 2 second switch inside said handle being aligned with said slot to be depressed by said sheath when pivoted on said universal joint toward one side, said second switch being in series circuit with the first said switch, motor and said power source for automatically opening and closing said circuit. 

1. In a brush, the combination of a hollow handle with a reversible electric motor therein connectable to a power source, an off-forward-reverse switch on said handle, and means carried by said handle for providing a tooth brushing action, said means comprising a rotary brush on a motor shaft of said motor, a portion of said motor shaft being protectively enclosed in a tubular sheath, said sheath projecting from a position within said handle toward said brush, a universal joint along said motor shaft being located between said motor and said sheath, a handle slot through which said shaft and sheath protrude outwardly of said handle, said sheath in a vicinity of said slot being crosssectionally non-circular to prevent rotation therein about a longitudinal axis of said sheath, a second switch inside said handle being aligned with said slot to be depressed by said sheath when pivoted on said universal joint toward one side, said second switch being in series circuit with the first said switch, motor and said power source for automatically opening and closing said circuit. 